The next sanctions package may ban the sale of gaming consoles.
Russia has been forced to innovate after Western sanctions curtailed access to military and electronic parts. According to Western and Ukrainian intelligence, Moscow has used key semiconductors from refrigerators and other household appliances for its missiles and drones.
Sibiga announced the adoption of the 16th package of EU sanctions against Russia in the near future
The three largest manufacturers of gaming consoles – American Microsoft and Japanese group Nintendo and Sony – stopped sales in Russia in early March 2022. The EU ban will target traders in the bloc who send consoles to Russia, including sellers of used goods.
The publication also notes that China is Russia's main supplier, having sold more than $120 million worth of gaming consoles to the country last year. The 2024 figure is up sharply from just under $30 million in 2022, when Russia's incursion forced a number of Western companies to cut ties with the market.
